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Caleb Williams will grace the cover of this year’s edition of the Madden NFL video game.
“Madden NFL 27” will have an image of what has become the signature play of the Chicago Bears quarterback: a wild leap.
The image of Williams mimics his remarkable fourth-and-8 pass to Rome Odunze against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card round that helped the Bears clinch the victory.
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Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois on January 10, 2026. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Williams is the first Bears player to appear on the cover.
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“When I got the call from Madden, it was like my childhood dream came true. Being on the cover of ‘Madden NFL 27’ is a full circle moment,” Williams said via ESPN.
“I grew up playing Madden and imagining what it would be like to be a part of the game. I know fans will love what’s new in this year’s game and I look forward to getting my rating up to 99 by the end of the season.”
“Caleb Williams is what a true face of the franchise looks like — the culmination of many moments in the incredible history of the Chicago Bears that have led them to their electric generational quarterback,” said Evan Dexter, EA Sports’ vice president of franchise strategy and marketing. “Madden NFL 27 aims to put more of the critical moments and key management decisions, with meaningful consequences that resonate across the NFL, in the hands of our players so they can build a league that is truly their own. Like Caleb, the future of football in ‘Madden NFL 27’ is exciting and more dynamic than ever before.”
Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams celebrates after an NFL wild-card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers in Chicago on Jan. 10, 2026. (Erin Hooley/AP)
The 2024 first overall pick is entering a pivotal third season after starting to live up to his draft stock last season, so Bears fans will certainly want their quarterback to avoid the “Madden Curse.”
Earlier in the 21st century, cover athletes for the game often had tumultuous seasons immediately following. Dante Culpepper (2001), Donovan McNabb (2006), Shaun Alexander (2007) and Vince Young (2008) are some of the most notable examples.
The curse has been lifted in recent years, but in 2024, when Christian McCaffrey graced the cover, he played in just four games. Saquon Barkley was on the front page last year after posting a 2,000-yard season in his Super Bowl campaign, but he also took a step back.
Williams is still looking to become the first Bears quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards, but his 3,942 yards last year were the most in franchise history. He threw 27 touchdowns against just seven interceptions while also running for three more scores.
Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams runs away from Green Bay Packers’ Lukas van Ness during the second half of an NFL game in Chicago on Dec. 20, 2025. (Yum Huh/AP)
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The game will be released on August 13.
